Salem Social Justice Organizations

The UUCS Microfinance Project is based on the Unitarian Universalist principles that “we covenant to affirm and promote … justice, equity, and compassion in human relations” and having a “world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all.” The basic idea:  Make small loans to people living on the edge, so they can increase their earning power, escape poverty, and make a better living for their families.

The Salem Interfaith Hospitality Network is a group of churches who minister to homeless members of the greater Salem community.  Each church hosts homeless families for one week, providing morning and evening meals, companionship to families and children in the evening, and a place to sleep in the church. Hosting by each church takes place about 4 times per year.  Volunteers from UUCS prepare meals, provide companionship, and stay overnight during our weeks for hosting.

Salem NAACP  Website and Facebook . The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination.   The vision of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights without discrimination based on race. Visit the website to find information about the next meeting.

PCUN  Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste.  PCUN’s Worker Organizing negotiates and implements union contracts with farms. It uses various direct organizing tactics, such as visiting fields, distributing leaflets, and holding house meetings and marches. PCUN also works for healthy workplaces, more inclusive elections, system change and grassroots policy advocacy, and improved communications via a PCUN owned radio station with 12 programs in three languages.  Find them also on Facebook. 

IMIrJ  the Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice accompanies and equips communities and people of faith to advance immigrant justice through direct accompaniment of immigrants facing detention and deportation, policy advocacy at local, state and national levels, and prophetic action. Founded in 2006, IMIrJ is in relationship with leaders from over 140 congregations throughout the state of Oregon  IMirJ on Facebook.

The Racial Justice Organizing Committee (RJOC) of Salem, Oregon, has a vision of a city safe and free of Racial Oppression. They support the missions of organizations supporting people of color.  RJOC on Facebook.

LUS Latinos Unidos Siempre  LUS has a mission to work towards the educational, cultural and political development of underrepresented youth. They want to empower youth to take leadership roles in the community, to advocate for social and political change and to combat racism, sexism, classism, xenophobia, heterosexism, transphobia, ableism and all other forms of institutional oppression and discrimination through grassroots organizing. LUS on Facebook.

Salem/Keizer Coalition for Equality (SKCE)  partners and advocates with Latino families, schools and communities to ensure equitable educational outcomes.  SKCE on Facebook.

Micronesian Islander Community  The Micronesian Islander Community (MIC) is organized exclusively for charitable, educational purpose and to promote cultural awareness programs and events that provide social needs, economic growth and justice to Micronesian communities among Oregon.

UU Social Justice Organizations

Oregon Unitarian Universalist Voices for Justice is a voice of liberal religions conscience in the state capital of Salem and throughout Oregon.

The mission of the Oregon UU Voices for Justice is to educate, organize and advocate for public policies which uphold the worth and dignity of each person, further justice, equity, and compassion in human relations, ensure the use of the democratic process, protect religious freedom, and promote respect for the interdependent web of all existence.

One of fifteen UU legislative advocacy groups, UU Voices holds annual meetings for members to share ideas and visions. From these meetings, objectives and priorities for the year’s legislative sessions are developed.  Find your state legislators.   Track a bill in the Oregon State Legislature.

E-mail Oregon UU Voices for Justice: oregonuuvoices@yahoo.com.

Northwest UU Justice Network is a growing group of Unitarian Universalists (UUs) and like-minded justice allies from the Northwest who are working to build a more just and sustainable world.

Side With Love is a public advocacy campaign that seeks to harness love’s power to stop oppression.

Unitarian Universalist Service Committee advances human rights through grassroots collaboration.